Consultant – Environment, Climate & Conservation Oxford, England
Job description
About Oxford HR
We manage executive level search and appointments and offer organisational effectiveness services which include coaching, consulting, team and leadership development. We work with non-profits, NGOs, consultancies, start-ups, foundations, think-tanks, social enterprises, multi-lateral development banks and government institutions. Our clients are from all over the world. We have developed the following sector specialist areas:
- Environment, Climate & Conservation
- Trade, Finance, Impact Investment
- Education
- Health
- Livelihoods & Agriculture
- Data, Technology & Research
- Human Rights & Equality
- Disaster & Humanitarian Response
Our teams work globally, some from offices in Europe (Oxford and Amsterdam), Asia (Singapore) and Africa (Nairobi), and we will soon be expanding our presence in the Americas. We have over 90 staff and associates spread across 20 countries. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion which are part of our organisational values. We embrace cultural difference and strive towards creating inclusive behaviours across our organisation. As an organisation, we are learning and growing in our EDI journey and approach our work with an intersectional lens.
Sustainability is very important to us. We have integrated SDGs to our strategic plan and have recruited staff to sharpen our responses in this area. We are engaged in the long process towards becoming B Corp certified. We are partnering with Just One Tree, to plant 25 trees monthly in Madagascar to contribute to curb the climate crisis. We plant an additional 10 trees with each placed candidate, who receive a nominal certificate on their first day in their new role.
Our Vision is ‘a world that puts purpose before profit’ and our Mission is ‘to enable excellence in leadership in purpose led sectors around the world.
Environment, Climate and Conservation Sector Specialism
Our rapidly growing environment practice area is one of the most established units within Oxford HR and our ambition is to become the go-to talent and leadership organisation for this sector, which arguably needs it more than any other due to the scale of the climate and biodiversity crisis.
We already work with an inspiring range of global organisations including NGOs such as Greenpeace, Global Canopy, RSPB, Oceana and the Environmental Defense Fund; conservation organisations such as the Sahara Conservation Fund, Maliasili and WWF; for purpose companies like Climate Impact Partners and Manufacture2030; philanthropies such as the Clean Air Fund and the Green Climate Fund; and organisations working towards sustainable and ethical supply chains including the Ethical Tea Partnership, the Sustainable Procurement Pledge, Forum for the Future, Bonsucro and the Better Cotton Initiative. Our goal is to work with many more and in the process deepen our own learning and understanding of what leaders need most.
We further recognise the significance of diversity when it comes to environmental leadership and the importance of ensuring women, minority groups, community representatives and young people have a seat at the table. We believe that amplifying the voices of different leaders and enabling more people who are often marginalised to enter leadership positions, is one of the greatest contributions we can make to the environmental crisis. In addition to our services, we collaborate with our sister company OXygen to illuminate stories and perspectives through webinars, newsletters, speaking events and podcasts.
About the role
If you are interested in helping impact driven organisations that are committed to positive change, and like the sound of working in a multicultural entrepreneurial and nurturing environment where your expertise and opinion is valued, then this might be the place for you.
In this role you will work with a global team to develop our reputation and expertise in the climate, environment, and conservation space. You will be building relationships with new and current clients, listening deeply to understand their leadership and talent needs and running executive search processes (including head hunting, interviewing and appointments) for INGOs, charities, social enterprises, start-ups, and consultancies, depending on the need.
You’ll be encouraged to attend conferences and events and engage in general networking opportunities to promote Oxford HR and to develop your own reputation in the sector too. You will see from our website that we run regular knowledge festivals to deepen understanding of key issues connected to climate, development, for-purpose leadership and diversity and inclusion. Your knowledge and expertise will contribute to the overall strategy of the company and in particular the shaping of this key practice area.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent communication and deep listening skills and a partnership approach to working with clients.
- A love of networking with skills in business development, alongside an ability to build authentic relationships quickly.
- The ability to manage a project team and a desire to get the best from people while creating a supportive working environment.
- Effective, decisive management and business planning skills.
- Excellent presentation skills and written and spoken English, with experience of report writing and attention to detail.
- Good negotiation skills, with the ability to persuade effectively and deliver convincing arguments.
- A keen interest to learn about new subjects and organisations at speed.
- Empathetic and intuitive with belief in your own judgement.
- A willingness to work flexibly.
Experience
- Work or voluntary experience in the broad environment or sustainability sector with a passionate interest in tackling climate change. An openness to different approaches to environmental action and a willingness to work with a range of organisations from radical activists to commercial startups.
- Proven experience of managing multiple consecutive projects, prioritising work to deadlines and achieving results with and through others.
- Experience in a client facing role – could be in a commercial setting or with partners or funders in an NGO.
- A previous role in Learning & Development, HR, Talent, Coaching, Mentoring or Consultancy would be an advantage. Experience in Executive Search is not essential if you can demonstrate transferable skills and alignment with our values.
Desirable
- Experience working internationally and collaboratively in a diverse and multicultural team.
- Experience in EDI, climate justice issues, the decolonisation agenda and intersectionality are especially welcome.
- Proven experience of managing people, with a coaching approach.
Attitudes and Values
- Transparent and consistent
- Collaborative
- Accountable
- Open to change and agile
- Confident
- Solutions oriented
- Optimistic
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Salary: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexitime
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
Supplemental pay types:
- Commission pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oxford, OX2 7BY
Reference ID: Consultant
